CVE-2023-1020Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated database extraction via unsanitized AJAX parameter

Published Apr 24, 2023 · Updated Feb 4, 2025

SQL injection in Steveas WP Live Chat Shoutbox 1.4.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read database data via an AJAX request. The shoutbox message-update action inserts the attacker-controlled last_timestamp parameter into an SQL statement without sanitization or escaping. No authentication is required, and a crafted UNION query can return stored database content in the response.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability4.99%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

SQL injection in Steveas WP Live Chat Shoutbox 1.4.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read database data via an AJAX request. The shoutbox message-update action inserts the attacker-controlled last_timestamp parameter into an SQL statement without sanitization or escaping. No authentication is required, and a crafted UNION query can return stored database content in the response.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-1020
Published
Apr 24, 2023
Updated
Feb 4, 2025
Vendor
Steveas
Product
Steveas WP Live Chat Shoutbox
Classifications
CWE-89, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 24, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 4, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=1.4.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Steveas · Steveas WP Live Chat Shoutboxversion=0 <=1.4.2

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-89Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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